Published: January 3, 2013

A Chicago Divided by Killings

A New York Times analysis of homicides and census data in Chicago compared areas near murders to those that were not. Residents living near homicides in the last 12 years were much more likely to be black, earn
less money and lack a college degree.

Nearhomicides

Not nearhomicides

Population

1.3 mil.

1.4 mil.

Income

$38,318

$61,175

No high school

27%

15%

High school

28%

20%

Bachelor’s +

19%

43%

Pct. white

24%

61%

Pct. black

55%

14%

Pct. Asian

3%

8%

Under age 18

28%

20%

Austin More than 450 homicides have happened in this neighborhood in Chicago’s West Side, one of the city’s deadliest places.

Lincoln Park A predominantly white neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side had about 10 percent the murder rate of neighborhoods to the west.

Grand Crossing A shooting broke out during the funeral for a victim of another shooting in December. Chicago’s South Side, in neighborhoods like Englewood, Auburn and Woodlawn, has some
of the city’s highest concentrations of murders.

Hyde ParkLess than one homicide per year happened in this affluent neighborhood, which is also home to the University of Chicago.

The Times analyzed more than 6,100 homicides within Chicago city limits from Jan. 1, 2001 through Dec. 24, 2012. Areas were determined to be near a homicide if two or more homicides occurred within a census
block group at any time in the 12-year period.

By MIKE BOSTOCK, SHAN CARTER and KEVIN QUEALY

Sources: City of Chicago; American Community Survey; socialexplorer.com